Delsea rumbles to 10th S.J. title

It was classic Delsea: fullback inside, halfback outside, a one-two combination of power football.

Once, twice, again and again.

"That's how we roll," Delsea coach Sal Marchese said after his team scored an imposing 41-12 victory over Northern Burlington in the South Jersey Group 3 title game Saturday at Rowan University.

Junior fullback Rob Hooks and senior halfback Tyrone Saud each scored two touchdowns as Delsea (11-1) won its ninth game in a row and captured its 10th sectional title since the creation of the playoff system in 1974.

"It was all about the grind," said Saud, who carried 11 times for 118 yards and scored on runs of 5 and 34 yards. "That's Delsea football."

The Crusaders made hay behind a sturdy offensive line led by senior Kobie Allen that cleared the way for Saud and Hooks, who carried 26 times for 203 yards and scored on runs of 7 and 5 yards.

Delsea's defense, led by senior end Dylan Dobzanski and senior linebacker Josh Awotunde, held Northern Burlington (7-5) to 31 rushing yards.

The Crusaders got off to a quick start as junior defensive back Rob Rolle returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown on the game's third play.

"That got us started," Saud said.

Delsea won South Jersey Group 2 titles in 2008 and 2009. The Crusaders lost in the Group 3 finals in 2010.

But last season, Delsea failed to make the playoffs and finished 6-4.

"Every year, our goals at Delsea are to win the conference and to win the state title," Marchese said. "But you have to do the things that are necessary to make those things possible.

"That's why I'm so happy for this group of players. They did that. They worked hard in the offseason, worked hard during the season.

"They paid the price to win this championship."

Northern Burlington   6 0 6 0 – 12

Delsea   7 14 13 7 – 41

D: Rob Rolle 32 interception return (Eric Porch kick)

NBC: Colin Fitzpatrick 1 run (kick blocked)

D: Tyrone Saud 5 run (Porch kick)

D: Saud 34 run (Porch kick)

D: Rob Hooks 7 run (kick failed)

D: Josh Awotunde 5 run (Porch kick)

NBC: Kenyatta Greene 12 run (run failed)

D: Hooks 5 run (Porch kick)